The interdependence of Greek literature includes some reference to the
Greek fathers and their writings.
Many of the books of the Old Testament, regarded as canonical by the
Catholic Church; but known as the Apochrypha among non-Catholics, were
written in Greek. A number of them are historical, and of great value
as illustrating the spirit and thought of the age to which they refer.
The other class of writers includes the work of Christian authors.
Greek and Latin writings wholly different from Pagan literature, began
to appear soon after the first century, and their purifying and
ennobling influence was more and more felt as time passed. The
primitive Christians held these writings of the Greek and Latin fathers
in great esteem, and in the second and third centuries Christianity
counted among its champions many distinguished scholars and
philosophers, particularly among the Greeks. Their writings, biblical,
controversial, doctrinal, historical and homiletical, covered the whole
arena of literature.
Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexandria, Eusebius, Athanasius, Gregory
Nazianzen, Basil, and John Chrysostom are only a few of the brilliant
names among Greek and Latin writers, who added a lasting glory to
literature and the Church.